AmericanaUK

Woodstock air suits one young band

Forget the galaxy of stars the various members of Mechanical Bull have shared a stage with, this is an album that needs no justification or reflected glory.
With a band name like Mechanical Bull you could be forgiven for expecting an album of sawdust strewn, barroom honky tonk, step aside the line dancers are ready.

But this an album born out of Woodstock. Chase Pierson, Avalon Peacock, Adam Widoff, Dave Malachowski, Chris Zaloom, George Quinn, J-Bird Bowman, Josh Pierson and John Medeski followed the inspiration of The Band and holed themselves up in a house only to emerge with A Million Yesterdays fully formed.
Don’t run away with the idea that the members of Mechanical Bull are comparing themselves to such legends - although Malachowski has worked with Garth Hudson – and A Million Yesterdays is not Music From The Big Pink but it has to be said that the Woodstock air has worked its magic again.

Firstly this isn’t a country. Americana or particularly any other genre of album, it’s all of the above and the result makes the result none of them.
On Dreamy Days Avalon Peacock rips the heart out of the song and snaps your soul with its beauty. It alone would cement her place at the top table of torch song singers, male or female, a feeling heightened by the atmosphere she creates on Lukewarm Coffey which hangs in the air like storm clouds ready to burst. Then along comes Chase Pierson grabbing the country rock of Debts by the scruff of the neck, shaking and playing it in the same way a cat does a mouse.

A Million Yesterdays is about the realization of possibilities. A vocalist who growls his way through a song bolstered by a razor sharp riff isn’t new, here it sounds as if it might just be. Mechanical Bull bring a freshness and excitement to what should be very familiar.

When Mechanical Bull do go a little bit country, it’s the mean, dark, deep kind of country, the kind that comes with an inbuilt threat, although the exception that proves the rule is Biggest Nerd In The Class. However even this seemingly light piece of whimsy has a substance and flesh that sets it apart.

A Million Yesterdays is an undeniably powerful album, whether overtly as in the case of Left Turn In Jersey or more opaquely as with Goodbye Woodstock. The emotional contrasts within the album are given by voice by the stark difference between Pierson and Peacock - definitely not two Ps in an ipod .

What A Million Yesterdays shows beyond any doubt is that Mechanical Bull is not an ‘instant band’ just add water for catchy country. There is a real sense of root about the music, it comes from somewhere meaningful and it has heart as well as soul.

Any listener willing to make the effort will be well rewarded by a young band with energy and fresh perspective.

Date review added: Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Reviewer: Michael Mee
Reviewers Rating:

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And More Again

There is not one good or authentic country & western song in the entire movie, but there's still Debra Winger riding the mechanical bull like it was meant to be rode and that's enough.
-- Don Graham, Giant Country



Mechanical Bull, A Million Yes-
terdays, Woodstock MusicWorks

The name conjures up images of Debra Winger in Urban Cowboy (you know, simulating sex on the barroom fixture
in question). I'm not sure that's such a good thing, although
your mileage may vary. Nonetheless, this Woodstock sextet
does put a citified spin on country, so it seems somehow fitting.

Yet describing Mechan-
ical Bull's second full-
length as country or alt-
country is rather reductive.

I'm reminded more of Fleetwood Mac in the way Chase Pierson and Avalon Peacock (the daughter of composer Annette Peacock) harmonize. They've got a Lindsay Buckingham/Christine McVie thing going on, except Pierson sounds more like Steve Earle than Buckingham.

A Million Yesterdays conjures up California's country-rock scene of the '70s combined with the Paisley Underground's more independent-minded approach—except for that West Coast part...and those mountains of cocaine. Nice touch: Medeski, Martin and Wood's John Medeski contributes Hammond B3 organ to the torchy "Luke Warm Coffee."


Link

Metro Spirit review

MECHANICAL BULL
"A Million Yesterdays"
Woodstock Music Works


AUGUSTA, GA - The band Mechanical Bull delivers an unusual blend of classic rock and roots rock with a hint of country.

Bull’s style is individual and also original. The main sounds that seem to stand out on this groups' CD are the unique vocals and guitar playing and distortion and tremelo. This gives Mechanical Bull it's own signature. In my opinion, “A Million Yesterdays” is a recommended listen to classic rock fans.

The song "Crazy Lady" has a rockin’ guitar beginning that sounds similar to Kenny Wayne Shepard and the Marshall Tucker Band. It's cool to hear some accompanying lead guitar throughout this song. This is one thing that has disappeared from much of the current music on the radio. This song could easily be a hit tune played on Top 40 Radio. Mechanical Bull is a band of accomplished musicians.

"Find a Home" has even more great lead guitar and signature rock vocals and harmony. Bands such as the Bull give listeners hope that rock ‘n’ roll is still alive, but just unorganized. This band strengthens my belief that we are on the verge of a rock-guitar-based band resurgence!

This group was a bit of a surprise, especially with the two tracks that were mentioned, because it’s a band that has found its own sound. If you're a fan of classic rock and roots rock and you like a touch of country music, try Mechanical Bulls’ new CD "A Million Yesterdays" available at woodstockmusicworks.com.

Cable and Tweed review

Mechanical Bull - A Million Yesterdays
Well, crap. I drove from Athens to Atlanta last night to see Beat the Devil, only to learn that their van broke down and they didn't make it. Wound up seeing Cloverfield instead, which was underwhelming. At least I got to listen through some more albums while on the road.



Avalon Peacock and Chase Pierson of Mechanical Bull

Woodstock, New York, country/folk sextet Mechanical Bull released their A Million Yesterdays [buy] in November. The band's blog documents numerous positive reviews from press in their home state and beyond, and I'll join those voices with a qualification.

A Million Yesterdays is generally impressive -- the songwriting and instrumentation are top-notch, and the band pulls in master organist John Medeski to guest on "Luke Warm Coffee." Dual vocalists contribute to the record, with band head honcho Chase Pierson taking the male lead and Avalon Peacock the female vocals. Peacock's voice is angelic, and I wouldn't mind it featured more; that's primarily because I'm not as enamored with Pierson's singing. When it's understated and hushed it's effective, but at times his raspy vocals are too much like Widespread Panic's John Bell for my tastes. Certainly a promising sophomore effort with some real gems.

link

4 Stars (out of 4)

The Daily News review was four out of four stars, and it reads: “OK, I admit it. I’m a sucker for the boy-girl singing dynamic. Always have been. Add Mechanical Bull — with the fantastic one-two punch of Chase Pierson and Avalon Peacock sharing vocals — to the list of original, under-the-radar artists taking residence on my iPod....From Peacock’s soaring, almost angelic vocals on “Dreaming Days” and “Desert Air,” to Pierson’s growling drawl on “Debts” and the hilariously off-beat “Biggest Nerd In The Class,” there aren’t many missteps on this 12-track collection. Additional keepers include “Crazy Lady,” “Luke Warm Coffee,” “Left Turn in Jersey” and the disc-closing “DJ Dancer (Isa’s Song),” a tune about Pierson’s 7-year-old daughter. It’s worth giving this Mechanical Bull a ride.”


Jeffery Sisk McKeesport PA Daily News 01.10.08

Review in Ulster County Press

BY ANDREW HICKEY
Ulster County Press
Chase Pierson never intended to start a
country band. He didn’t even consider him-
self a musician. But, like in a country song
he might write over the following two years,
Pierson got divorced.
“It came out of the blue,” Pierson said.
“Two years ago, I got divorced. I started
messing around - writing a few country
songs - and people liked them.”
As Pierson developed his talent as a song-
writer, he also grew himself a band chock
full of talented Woodstockers - Mechanical
Bull.
“There were no country rockabilly bands
around here, so I figured, why the hell not.”
And why the hell not cobble together a
veritable who’s who of Woodstock musi-
cians to round out your band and chip in on
your newly released sophomore album, “A
Million Yesterdays”? (releases Nov. 1 on
Woodstock MusicWorks)
Pierson, who helms Mechanical Bull on
guitar and vocals, combined with eight local
musicians to press the second album. Adam
Widoff, a multi-instrumentalist and produc-
er from Woodstock, kicks in on guitar, bass,
drums, organ and piano. Woodstock’s Dave
Malachowski, who has played with everyone
from Shania Twain to Garth Hudson, is on
guitar. Chris Zaloom appears on slide guitar;
George Quinn on bass, guitar and mandolin;
J-Bird Bowman on drums and vocals;
Chase’s brother Josh Pierson on banjo and
saxophone and John Medeski, of Medeski,
Martin & Wood, on organ.
“We have some great legendary old Wood-
stock people,” Pierson said of Mechanical
Bull, whose roster fluctuates between three
and seven members, depending on the ven-
ue.
Perhaps the most prominent contributor
besides Pierson is singer Avalon Peacock, a
Woodstocker who lends a voice sorrowful
enough to make you want to get drunk and
gentle enough to remind you that you al-
ready are.
In fact, on Mechanical Bull’s Myspace
page, the band’s influences listed are “dys-
functional marriages, alcoholism and the
American dream.”
That tongue-in-cheek round-up also sheds
a little light on Pierson’s development as a
songwriter. Mechanical Bull’s first album,
“All Hat No Cattle,” was “more of a bitter-
sweet comedy,” Pierson said, “tragic songs
about relationships.”
But Pierson, who admits that he never
thought of himself as much of a musician
and had to overcome shyness to sing to a
crowd, grew in confidence and ability.
“Then I started writing for fun,” he said,
referring to the process of creating the sec-
ond album. “Everyone was kind of sur-
prised. Mechanical Bull is supposed to have
this edge. I’m glad I went in that different di-
rection.”
“A Million Yesterdays” is actually more of
a mix of three themes - light-hearted jaunts
like “Biggest nerd in the class;” soulful,
haunting ballads like “Dreaming days;” and,
good old my-dog-died-and-my-truck-broke-
down country songs like “Debts” (which in-
cludes one of the most infectious lyrics on
the album, growled by Pierson and sung by
Peacock - “I got debts no honest man can pay”).
Pierson moved to the Woodstock area about 10
years ago and, in addition to harvesting the exist-
ing, rich music scene and rounding up talent for
Mechanical Bull, he calls the area an inspiration on
it’s own.
After growing up in the Berkshires, Pierson
went on to live virtually all over the country. But,
he said, “this area has always felt like home. Aside
from the being really beautiful, I like the country,
rural feel and slowed down pace of life. It’s a really
cool community of creative and nurturing people
up here.”
Pierson first got the itch for country music while
living in Boston in his early 20s after hearing what
he describes as rockabilly.
“I was like, shit, I’m gonna move to Texas and
check this out,” Pierson said. “I got in my car and
drove to Austin.”
There, he immersed himself in country music
and the real-deal, Texas music scene. Eventually, he
wandered his way back Northeast and landed in Ul-
ster County.
“Mechanical Bull wouldn’t have evolved outside
of Woodstock,” he said.
With the release of “A Million Yesterdays,” Pier-
son said, Mechanical Bull is aiming to spread their
version of Woodstock country across the northeast.
“I think we’re going to give it a shot. It’s a lot of
fun for us,” he said, adding that the band is plan-
ning a tour of the northeast. “You never know with
these things.”
In fact, Mechanical Bull has had success with
their first album, Pierson said. The folks from Hol-
lywood came calling and scooped up the rights to
“All Hat No Cattle” to use in a film.
For now, you can catch Mechanical Bull at the
Bearsville Theater in Woodstock on Nov. 1 for their
album release party. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the
show starts at 9 p.m. with special guest Erin Sax
Seymour. Tickets are $10. The Bearsville Theater is
at 291 Tinker St. in Woodstock and can be reached
at 679-4406 or at www.bearsvilletheater.com.

Albany Times Union

Woodstock-based alt-country combo Mechanical Bull celebrates the release of its sophomore effort, "A Million Yesterdays" on the Woodstock MusicWorks label, with a bash at 9 tonight at Bearsville Theater. With a dozen original tunes, the album features the sultry vocals of Avalon Peacock, the gruff, dust-caked voice of Chase Pierson and the guitar twang of David Malachowski (who also writes for the Times Union).

Mechanical Bull plays on all-star collaboration album "American Hotel"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Hotel

Sonic Strom

No Bull


I saw Mechanical Bull, the band for which Pierson and Peacock serve as front folks, at the Woodstock Film Festival last month, and I was very impressed.

This ensemble walks the line of country swing, Lynyrd Skynyrd southern rock and there is something about it for me that is reminiscent of Nirvana. These folks have a record release party tonight, Thursday, Nov. 1, at the Bearsville Theater, and I imagine it's going to be a rootsy, down-home, Saturday night on Thursday in the Catskill Mountains kind of evening.

Here's the deal, Doors at 8 p.m.; Show at 9 p.m.
Tickets $10
Visit www.bearsvilletheater.com or www.myspace.com/mechanincalbullpen for info.

Chase is an interesting guy. He was born in Nottingham, England, the land of Robin Hood, you know, that whole Sheriff of Nottingham thing. He said he has lived on "every state on the east coast" as well as Texas. He and his family moved around a lot when he was a kid. His father was a minister, Episcopalian.

But, Chase said, "I'm an atheist."

Chase has lived in Woodstock about eight years and had learned the guitar many moons ago, he is now 33, from his parents, but recently, "I got back into it."

Chase got introduced to country music through his parents, who listened to Linda Ronstadt, The Eagles, that kind of thing. In high school, he was into punk - The Dead Kennedys anybody?

"When I was 20. I got really into Rev. Horton Heat," and that "led me into the world of country."

Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys anybody? Chase loves them. And that's pretty cool in my book.
Chase, who has lived in Austin and while there, delved into a country scene that wsa Junior Brown, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard rather than Toby Keith, said "People, when they hear the word country, I think there is a lot, just like there is a lot of variety out there."

Chase describes Mechanical Bull as "country, with a little bit of southern rock. It's kind of eclectic."
Chase used to live in Jacksonville, Florida, which he told me is where those Skynyrd boys came from. That music, he said, "Is exciting. It kind of moves."

Adam Widoff, who regularly tours the world with major names but has also played cozy Catskill Mountain Rock with Stoney Clove Lane, plays guitar for Mechanical Bull. Avalon Peacock's voice is worth the price of admission alone, but the star of this show is Chris Zaloom and the Eric Clapton-like soulfulness he brings to the pedal steel guitar and Dobro. Oh my goodness.

"A Million Yesterdays," the CD that the Bull is releasing tonight, comes out on Woodstock MusicWorks Records, a new, local label that Chase speaks very highly of.

The band released its first record, "and we did it ourselves and I'm new to the music industry and I didn't know what to do with it. I didn't know how to work it.

The gang over at Woodstock MusicWorks, Chase said, a gentleman named Paul Schiavo specifically, "They're really helping us with P.R. and they paid for our record to be made and all these things."

"Paul is very clever," Chase said.

And how aboutz that name....

"I always liked that name. I liked the way it sounds. I don’t like to get too meteaphroical and it wasn’t metaphorical at all the way it was conceived. I just like the name Mecanical Bull. I liked the combination of something that is mechanical and something that is organic."

On top of being a very solid, very different band, I admire Chase's honesty, in this case, regarding the opener, Erin Sax Seymour.

"I haven’t heard her," he said. "But I heard she's awesome."

Posted by John W. Barry

http://sonicstorm.blogspot.com/2007/11/no-bull.html

peaceloveandmovies

Link to story: http://peaceloveandmovies.blogspot.com/2007/10/mechanical-bull.html


Here is more from the live music Friday night. This is Mechanical Bull, which I would say is a cross between mellow Lynyrd Skynyrd and Hank Williams. The slide guitar player pulled off some licks that I will NEVER forget. Very entertaining and very solid. They also work the western motif quite well. And that's no bull.

Abany Times Union Nov 8 2007

Alt-country rockers Mechanical Bull uncorked their sophomore CD "A Million Yesterdays" in Woodstock last week, and now the band is headed into Tess' Lark Tavern for their Albany CD launch tonight. Headlining the evening's performance is up-and-coming country-pop singer Jesse Stewart, who's been getting a lot of air play lately on WEXT-FM with her song "Garnsey Road." The connection between the bands is guitarist (and Times Union writer) David Malachowski, who plays in Mechanical Bull and produced Stewart's latest four-song demo.

Metroland Nov 8 2007

Mechanical Bull

Tess’ Lark Tavern, Thursday

With their newly released second CD, A Million Yesterdays, Ulster County-based country act Mechanical Bull seem poised to break through to a mainstream audience. The group, led by guitarist-vocalist Chase Pierson and singer Avalon Peacock, recorded Yesterdays over the summer at Pierson’s home in the Woodstock area, and the result is a charmingly organic and commercially viable disc with lyrics that occasionally tread the fine line between stupid and clever. Regional guitar-slinger David Malachowski provides some tasty licks, and famed Hammond organist John Medeski guests on one track, making it a bit of an all-star affair. Joining the band for a country-riffic evening at Tess’ place are New York-based artist Erin Sax Seymour and new local talent Jesse Stewart. (Nov. 8, 9 PM, $5, 453 Madison Ave., Albany, 463-9779)